Assistance for Innovative Companies in Victoria

09-Nov-2012

As part of Victoria's Plan for the Future, that promotes technology-enabled innovation and the competitiveness of Victoria's technology sectors, the state Government is assisting companies develop and trial new technologies through an $8 million Technology Voucher Program.

At the opening of the Ausbiotech Conference in Melbourne last week, the Victorian Minister for Technology, announced the commencement of the first round of competitive funding for the Technology Implementation Voucher Program. Victorian Businesses can apply for a maximum of $250,000 under this program to help develop new technologies or integrate them into products or processes. There is a focus on adapting existing information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology or small technologies products/platforms/processes for new and more competitive products or new applications or finding new markets.

The voucher is exchanged for access to facilities, expertise and services provided by private companies or public funded organisations such as universities, CSIRO and the Synchrotron. Accessing these services and the expertise/knowledge bank could assist a business to:

develop a prototype

conduct pilot scale trials

test the applications of the technology in new products

Technology Implementation Voucher applications can be made at www.business.vic.gov.au/tvp noting that businesses are required to make a cash co-contribution (the percentage is relative to the voucher amount requested and depends on the size of the business).